Digital camera including focal plane shutter

ABSTRACT

There is provided a digital camera of which the stable operation of a shutter can be performed by compact structure and which can suppress the generation of vibration caused by the operation of a shutter. A grip portion (22) is provided at one end portion of a camera body (10), and a charge section (124) of a focal-plane shutter unit (110) is disposed within a range GA of the grip portion (22). Further, a battery is disposed between an image sensor and a display unit at an end portion of the camera body opposite to the grip portion (22). Since the charge section is disposed within the range of the grip portion, a drive section (122) and the charge section (124) can be disposed close to each other. Accordingly, a drive unit for a focal-plane shutter can be made compact, and a shutter curtain can be charged with a stable operation even in a case in which the shutter curtain is to be charged with large torque. Further, since a portion of the camera body, which is close to the center of rotation of a shutter curtain, can be gripped with a hand at the time of handheld imaging, the generation of vibration can be effectively suppressed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2017/016380 filed on Apr. 25, 2017 claimingpriority under 35 U.S.C § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No.2016-090832 filed on Apr. 28, 2016. Each of the above applications ishereby expressly incorporated by reference, in their entirety, into thepresent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital camera, and moreparticularly, to a digital camera that comprises a square focal-planeshutter.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most of lens-interchangeable cameras employ a focal-plane shutter as ashutter. The focal-plane shutter is a shutter that is installedimmediately in front of a focal plane. The focal-plane shutter comprisestwo shutter curtains, that is, a front curtain and a rear curtain, andcontrols an exposure time by a change in an interval (slit) between thetwo shutter curtains and the travel speeds thereof.

Focal-plane shutters can be broadly classified into three types offocal-plane shutters, that is, a drum type focal-plane shutter, a squarefocal-plane shutter, and a rotary focal-plane shutter in accordance withmechanisms thereof. At present, a square focal-plane shutter is a maintype.

A square focal-plane shutter is a focal-plane shutter that includes ashutter curtain formed of a plurality of thin sheet-like shutter bladesarranged side by side. In a case in which the shutter curtain is closed,an interval between the shutter blades is widened and light passingthrough the exposure aperture is blocked. In a case in which the shuttercurtain is opened, the shutter blades are folded so as to overlap witheach other and are retreated to a region outside the exposure aperture.The shutter blades forming the shutter curtain are supported by an armmember, and are moved in parallel to each other by the rotation of thearm member. Since the shutter curtain travels in an up-down direction toopen and close the exposure aperture, the square focal-plane shutter isalso called an up-down travel focal-plane shutter, a vertical travelfocal-plane shutter, and the like. Further, the square focal-planeshutter is also called a blade type focal-plane shutter or the like dueto the shape of the shutter blade of the shutter curtain.

JP1997-146145A (JP-H09-146145A) proposes a camera comprising a squarefocal-plane shutter for which a drive unit is disposed at a jointportion between a camera body and a grip portion for a reduction in thesize of the entire digital camera.

Further, JP2003-15191A proposes a digital camera comprising a squarefocal-plane shutter for which a drive mechanism is disposed closer to animaging element than the operation plane of shutter blades for areduction in the size of the entire digital camera.

Further, JP2005-266209A proposes a digital camera comprising a squarefocal-plane shutter for which a drive mechanism is disposed in a regionopposite to a grip portion for a reduction in the size of the entiredigital camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A camera using a focal-plane shutter has a problem that vibration islikely to be generated at the time of operation of a shutter (so-calledshutter shock). This problem becomes significant as the size of an imagesensor is increased. Further, this problem becomes significant as theweight of the camera is reduced.

Since the cameras disclosed in JP1997-146145A (JP-H09-146145A),JP2003-15191A, and P2005-266209A do not include measures againstvibration to be generated at the time of the operation of a shutter,there is a drawback that the shake of the cameras is likely to occur.This will be described in more detail. Most of shake of the camera iscaused by shake except for the shake of the camera caused by theoperation of a shutter. Vibration caused by shake is vibration having alow frequency in the range of about 1 to 15 Hz. This kind of vibrationhaving a low frequency can be reduced to about a fraction thereof in acase in which a general image stabilization technology is used.

However, since vibration caused by the operation of the shutter isgenerated by a reaction force against the instant stop of the shutterblades traveling at high speed, the frequency of the vibration is muchhigher than the frequency of vibration caused by shake. Accordingly,even though a technique optimized for the correction of a frequencyregion of shake is used, vibration caused by the operation of theshutter cannot be significantly reduced.

Particularly, a medium-format camera includes an exposure aperturelarger than that of a 35 mm-format camera. Accordingly, in a case inwhich a focal-plane shutter is used, vibration caused by the operationof the shutter becomes significant. That is, since the travel distanceof the shutter blade is also lengthened in a case in which the exposureaperture is increased in size, the travel energy of the shutter blade isalso increased (travel energy is increased in proportion to the squareof the travel distance) as that much. As a result, since a reactionforce to be generated at the time of stop is increased, the vibration ofa level, which cannot be ignored just as it is, is generated.

Further, in recent years, the pixel size of an image sensor used in adigital camera has become much smaller than the size of a silver halideparticle of a silver halide film (about 1/10 of the size of a silverhalide particle). Accordingly, even though the image sensors have thesame screen size, an influence of shake of the camera on the digitalcamera is more significant than that on a silver halide camera.

The invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentionedcircumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a digitalcamera of which the stable operation of a shutter can be performed bylight and compact structure and which can suppress the transmission ofvibration, which is caused by the operation of a shutter of which aninfluence becomes significant as the size of an image sensor isincreased, to a camera.

Means for achieving the above-mentioned object are as follows.

(1) A digital camera comprising:

a camera body that includes a grip portion at one end portion thereof;

a lens or a lens mount that is provided on a front of the camera body;

a display unit that is provided on a back of the camera body;

an image sensor that is provided in the camera body;

a focal-plane shutter unit which is square and includes a base plateincluding an exposure aperture, a shutter curtain opening and closingthe exposure aperture, a drive section driving the shutter curtain in anopenable and closable manner, and a charge section charging a drivingforce of the drive section and disposed at one end portion of the baseplate, and the focal-plane shutter unit being disposed immediately infront of the image sensor in the camera body and the charge sectionbeing disposed within a range of the grip portion; and

a battery that is disposed between the image sensor and the display unitin the camera body, and is disposed at an end portion of the camera bodyopposite to the end portion of the camera body including the gripportion.

According to this aspect, the grip portion is provided at one endportion of the camera body, and the charge section of the focal-planeshutter unit is disposed within the range of the grip portion. Further,the battery is disposed between the image sensor and the display unit atan end portion of the camera body opposite to the grip portion. Sincethe charge section is disposed within the range of the grip portion, thedrive section and the charge section can be disposed close to eachother. Accordingly, a drive unit for a focal-plane shutter can be madecompact, and a shutter curtain can be charged with a stable operationeven in a case in which the shutter curtain is to be charged with largetorque. Further, since the drive section and the charge section can bedisposed close to each other, a portion of the camera body, which isclose to the center of rotation of the shutter curtain, can be grippedwith a hand at the time of handheld imaging. Accordingly, the generationof vibration can be effectively suppressed. That is, since the majorcause of vibration is moment that is received at the time of braking ofthe shutter curtain (moment received about the center of rotation of theshutter curtain), a portion of the camera body, which is close to thecenter of rotation of the shutter curtain, is gripped with a hand.Accordingly, the generation of vibration can be effectively suppressed.Further, since the battery is disposed at an end portion of the camerabody opposite to the grip portion, the moment of inertia about the gripportion can be increased. Accordingly, the generation of vibration canbe more effectively suppressed. This will be described in more detail.According to this aspect, a layout where the center of rotation of theshutter curtain is made close to the grip portion and the battery isdisposed on the opposite of the center of rotation of the camera can bemade. However, in a case in which such a layout is employed, thebattery, which is a heavy object, can be disposed at a position distantfrom the center of rotation of the shutter curtain. Even though masspoints have the same mass, the moment of inertia of the mass point,which is more distant from the center of rotation, about a rotation axisis larger. Accordingly, in a case in which the battery, which is a heavyobject, is disposed at a position distant from the center of rotation ofthe shutter curtain, rotational moment about the rotating shaft of theshutter curtain (rotational moment about an axis parallel to the opticalaxis positioned along the rotating shaft of the shutter curtain) can beincreased. Since vibration, which is caused by the operation of theshutter, is generated about the rotating shaft of the shutter curtain,the moment of inertia in a direction where vibration caused by theoperation of the shutter is to be suppressed can be increased by anincrease in the rotational moment about the rotating shaft of theshutter curtain. As a result, since it is possible to make it difficultfor vibration, which is caused by the operation of the shutter, to betransmitted to the camera, the occurrence of shake of the camera can beeffectively suppressed. Further, according to this aspect, since thebattery is disposed between the image sensor and the display unit, thedimension of the camera body in the lateral direction can also bereduced.

(2) The digital camera according to (1),

wherein the camera body includes a body portion thicker than the gripportion,

the lens or the lens mount is disposed on a front of the body portion,

the display unit is disposed on a back of the body portion, and

the image sensor and the battery are disposed within a range of the bodyportion.

According to this aspect, the camera body is provided with the bodyportion thicker than the grip portion. Further, the body portion isprovided with the lens or the lens mount, the display unit, the imagesensor, and the battery. Accordingly, gripping ability can be improvedwhile the entire camera is made compact.

(3) The digital camera according to (1) or (2),

wherein the charge section and the drive section of the focal-planeshutter unit are disposed in parallel.

According to this aspect, the charge section and the drive section aredisposed in parallel. Accordingly, the charge section and the drivesection can be disposed close to each other. In this case, the drivesection is disposed between the exposure aperture and the chargesection.

(4) The digital camera according to any one of (1) to (3), furthercomprising:

a battery chamber that is provided in the camera body and stores thebattery,

wherein the battery is stored in the battery chamber.

According to this aspect, the battery chamber is provided in the camerabody. Accordingly, the battery can be attachably and detachably loaded.

(5) The digital camera according to (4),

wherein the camera body includes a battery insertion opening that isprovided on an end face of the end portion of the camera body oppositeto the end portion of the camera body including the grip portion and isused to load the battery in the battery chamber.

According to this aspect, the battery insertion opening, which is usedto load the battery in the battery chamber, is provided on an end faceof the end portion of the camera body opposite to the grip portion.Accordingly, the battery can be easily attached and detached.

(6) The digital camera according to (4) or (5),

wherein the camera body includes a cover part that is provided on theend face of the end portion of the camera body opposite to the endportion of the camera body including the grip portion and opens andcloses the battery chamber.

According to this aspect, the cover part, which opens and closes thebattery chamber, is provided on the end face of the end portion of thecamera body opposite to the grip portion. Accordingly, the battery canbe easily attached and detached.

(7) The digital camera according to any one of (1) to (6), furthercomprising:

a board on which an electronic component is mounted,

wherein the board is disposed between the image sensor and the displayunit in the camera body and includes a cut-out portion provided at aposition of the battery to be disposed.

According to this aspect, the board, which is disposed between the imagesensor and the display unit, is provided with the cut-out portion, andthe battery is disposed in the cut-out portion.

(8) The digital camera according to any one of (1) to (7),

wherein the charge section of the focal-plane shutter unit is disposedin the grip portion.

According to this aspect, the charge section is disposed in the gripportion. The grip portion is provided at one end portion of the camerabody. Accordingly, in a case in which the charge section is disposed inthe grip portion, the dimension of the camera body in the lateraldirection can be reduced.

(9) The digital camera according to any one of (1) to (8),

wherein the image sensor has a sensor size that is larger than that ofan image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size.

According to this aspect, the image sensor, which has a sensor sizelarger than that of an image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size, isprovided. Since vibration to be generated at the time of operation ofthe shutter is increased as the size of the sensor is increased, theinvention more effectively acts as the size of the image sensor isincreased.

The image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size is an image sensorhaving a size corresponding to 135-film (35 mm film). The image sensorhas a screen size of about 24 mm×36 mm (length×width).

(10) The digital camera according to (9),

wherein the image sensor is an image sensor having a medium-format size.

According to this aspect, the image sensor is formed of an image sensorhaving a medium-format size. A medium-format size is a sizecorresponding to Brownie film. The screen size (sensor size) of an imagesensor corresponding to a 6×4.5 format is about 33 mm×40 mm(length×width).

(11) The digital camera according to any one of (1) to (10),

wherein the digital camera is a non-reflex digital camera.

According to this aspect, the digital camera is formed of a non-reflexdigital camera. A non-reflex digital camera is a digital camera notincluding a reflex mirror for guiding a ray, which incomes from a lens,to an optical view finder. A non-reflex digital camera is also called amirrorless digital camera, a mirrorless camera, or the like. Since amirror box, a pentaprism, and the like are not required in the case of anon-reflex digital camera, the entire non-reflex digital camera can bereduced in weight and can be made compact. Since vibration to begenerated at the time of operation of the shutter becomes significant asthe camera is reduced in weight, the invention more effectivelyfunctions as the camera is reduced in weight.

According to the invention, the stable operation of a shutter can beperformed by light and compact structure. Further, the transmission ofvibration, which is caused by the operation of a shutter of which aninfluence becomes significant as the size of an image sensor isincreased, to a camera can be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the appearance of the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a back view showing the appearance of the digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the appearance of the digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the digital camera isgripped at the time of handheld imaging.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which the digital camera isgripped at the time of handheld imaging.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view showing the schematic internalstructure of the digital camera.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing a structure in which abattery chamber is disposed.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the schematic structure of a focal-planeshutter unit.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing a structure in which thefocal-plane shutter unit is disposed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detailbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<<Appearance>>

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are a front view, a top view, a back view, and aleft side view showing the appearance of a digital camera, respectively.Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a top view showing a statein which the digital camera is gripped at the time of handheld imaging,respectively.

In this specification, a direction along an optical axis L is referredto as a front-rear direction and a subject side is referred to as afront side. Further, in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L, adirection along a long side of an image sensor 70 (an x direction inFIG. 1) is referred to as a lateral direction or a left-right directionand a direction along a short side of the image sensor 70 (a y directionin FIG. 1) is referred to as a vertical direction or an up-downdirection.

A digital camera 1 of this embodiment is a lens-interchangeablemedium-format digital camera, and is a non-reflex digital camera.

A lens-interchangeable digital camera is a digital camera of which alens can be interchanged. Further, a medium-format digital camera is adigital camera that uses an image sensor having a medium-format size asan image sensor. A medium-format size is a size corresponding to Browniefilm. An image sensor having a medium-format size has a screen size thatis larger than that of an image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size.The screen size of an image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size isabout 24 mm×36 mm (length×width). In the digital camera 1 of thisembodiment, an image sensor having a screen size (sensor size) of about33 mm×40 mm (length×width) is used as an image sensor corresponding to a6×4.5 format.

A non-reflex digital camera is a digital camera not including a reflexmirror for guiding a ray, which incomes from a lens, to an optical viewfinder.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the digital camera 1 comprises a camera body10 on which a lens can be mounted. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a state in which alens 2 is removed, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state in which the lens 2 ismounted.

The camera body 10 is provided with a lens mount 14 on which the lens 2is to be mounted, a main display 16, a sub-display 18, an electronicview finder 20, various operation buttons, a battery cover 40, and thelike.

<Camera Body>

The camera body 10 includes a body portion 10A and a projecting portion10B, and has a laterally long shape in front view as shown in FIG. 1.The bottom of the camera body 10 is parallel to the long side of theimage sensor 70.

The body portion 10A has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped boxthat is rounded as a whole. The projecting portion 10B is provided onone side of the body portion 10A, and has a shape where a part of thebody portion 10A projects in the lateral direction. The projectingportion 10B is thinner than the body portion 10A, and functions as agrip region at the time of handheld imaging.

An end portion of the projecting portion 10B is formed as a grip portion12. The grip portion 12 is a portion that is to be gripped by a user atthe time of handheld imaging. The grip portion 12 is formed to bethinner than the body portion 10A.

The grip portion 12 is provided with a grip 22 on the front side of thecamera body 10. The grip 22 is formed as a protruding portion thatprotrudes forward in a trapezoidal shape. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, auser catches the grip 22 with fingers to grip the camera body 10 at thetime of handheld imaging.

Further, the grip portion 12 is provided with a thumb rest 24 on theback side of the camera body 10. The thumb rest 24 is formed as aprotruding portion that protrudes rearward in a convex shape. As shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, a user puts a thumb on the thumb rest 24 to grip thecamera body 10 at the time of handheld imaging.

<Lens Mount>

The lens mount 14 is a portion on which the lens is to be mounted. Asshown in FIG. 1, the lens mount 14 is provided on the front of thecamera body 10. The lens mount 14 is disposed substantially at thecenter of the body portion 10A of the camera body 10.

<Main Display>

The main display 16 is a large-screen display used to display images andthe like, and is provided on the back of the camera body 10 as shown inFIG. 2. The main display 16 is disposed substantially at the center ofthe body portion 10A of the camera body 10. The main display 16 isformed of a color liquid crystal display (LCD).

<Sub-Display>

The sub-display 18 is a small-screen display that is used to display thesettings of the camera, and the like. The sub-display 18 is provided onthe upper surface (top surface) of the camera body 10. The sub-display18 is provided on the projecting portion 10B of the camera body 10. Thesub-display 18 is formed of, for example, a reflective LCD comprising anilluminator.

<Electronic View Finder>

The electronic view finder 20 is provided on the body portion 10A of thecamera body 10, and is disposed at the upper surface portion of the bodyportion 10A. The electronic view finder 20 includes an eyepiece portion20A on the back side of the camera body 10.

<Operation Buttons>

The camera body 10 is provided with various operation buttons, which areused to operate the digital camera 1, in addition to a shutter button30.

The shutter button 30 is an operation member that is used to instructimaging to be performed. The shutter button 30 is formed of a so-calledtwo-stage switch that is to be half pressed and fully pressed. In a casein which the shutter button 30 is half pressed, the measurement oflight, the measurement of a distance, or the like is performed. In acase in which the shutter button 30 is fully pressed, main imaging isperformed. The shutter button 30 is disposed at a position where theshutter button 30 can be operated by a forefinger in a case in which auser grips the camera body 10. In the digital camera 1 of thisembodiment, the shutter button 30 is disposed on the upper surface ofthe camera body 10.

The other operation buttons include a power supply lever that turnson/off the power supply of the digital camera 1, a menu button thatcalls up a menu screen, a cross button, an OK button, a cancel button, aplay button, a delete button, a command dial, and the like.

<Battery Cover>

The battery cover 40 is a cover part that is used to open and close abattery insertion opening 90A of a battery chamber 90. The batterychamber 90 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the batterycover 40 is provided on the end face (right side surface in the FIG. 1)of the body portion 10A. That is, the battery cover 40 is provided onthe end face of the body portion opposite to the grip portion 12.

<<Internal Structure>>

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view showing the schematic internalstructure of the digital camera.

The digital camera 1 is provided with an image sensor 70, a main board80, a battery chamber 90, a display unit 100, a focal-plane shutter unit110, and the like in the camera body 10.

<Image Sensor>

The image sensor 70 is disposed on the optical axis. As described above,an image sensor having a medium-format size is used as the image sensor70. A color image sensor having a screen size of about 33 mm×40 mm(length×width) is used in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment.

Publicly known image sensors, such as a charged coupled device (CCD)image sensor and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagesensor, can be used as the image sensor 70.

<Main Board>

The main board 80 is a board as a main component of the digital camera1, and various electronic components are mounted on the main board 80.The main board 80 is disposed between the image sensor 70 and thedisplay unit 100. Detailed disposition of the main board 80 will bedescribed later.

<Battery Chamber>

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing a structure in which thebattery chamber is disposed.

The battery chamber 90 is a storage portion for a battery 92. Thebattery 92 of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment has the shape of arectangular parallelepiped. The battery chamber 90 has the shape of arectangular parallelepiped box corresponding to the shape of the battery92. The battery chamber 90 is disposed between the image sensor 70 andthe display unit 100, and is disposed at the end portion of the camerabody opposite to the grip portion 12.

The battery 92 is loaded in the battery chamber 90 from the batteryinsertion opening 90A. The battery insertion opening 90A is provided onthe end face of the end portion of the camera body 10 opposite to theend portion of the camera body 10 including the grip portion 12. Thebattery insertion opening 90A is provided with the battery cover 40 thatcan be opened and closed. The battery 92 is inserted from the batteryinsertion opening 90A in the lateral direction, and is loaded in thebattery chamber 90.

A cut-out portion 82 is provided at the main board 80 so as tocorrespond to the position of the battery chamber 90 to be disposed. Thebattery chamber 90 is disposed within the cut-out portion 82.

<Display Unit>

The display unit 100 is a unit that forms the main display 16. Asdescribed above, the display unit 100 is formed of a color LCD. Thedisplay unit 100 is disposed on the back of the body portion 10A of thecamera body 10.

<Focal-Plane Shutter Unit>

The focal-plane shutter unit 110 is a unit that forms a mechanicalshutter of the digital camera 1. The focal-plane shutter unit 110 issquare, and a shutter curtain of the focal-plane shutter unit 110 isformed of a plurality of shutter blades. The focal-plane shutter unit110 is disposed immediately in front of the image sensor 70. Detaileddisposition of the focal-plane shutter unit 110 will be described later.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the schematic structure of thefocal-plane shutter unit. FIG. 9 shows a state in which a front curtainis closed and a rear curtain is opened.

The focal-plane shutter unit 110 comprises a base plate 114 thatincludes an exposure aperture 112, a shutter curtain 116 that opens andcloses the exposure aperture 112 of the base plate 114, and a drive unit120 that drives the shutter curtain 116 in an openable and closablemanner.

The base plate 114 has the shape of a rectangular flat plate. Theexposure aperture 112 is provided at the base plate 114 as a rectangularopening portion. The exposure aperture 112 is provided at the right endof the base plate 114 in a case in which the exposure aperture 112 isviewed from the front. The size of the exposure aperture 112 is set to asize corresponding to the screen size of the image sensor 70.

The shutter curtain 116 includes a front curtain 116A and a rear curtain116B. The front curtain 116A includes four shutter blades 116 a, and therear curtain 116B includes four shutter blades 116 b.

The respective shutter blades 116 a of the front curtain 116A aremounted on a front curtain-drive arm (not shown), and are moved inparallel to each other by the rotation (oscillation) of the frontcurtain-drive arm to open and close the exposure aperture 112.

As described above, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the front curtain 116Ais closed. In a case in which the front curtain-drive arm is rotatedclockwise from this state, the respective shutter blades 116 a arefolded so as to overlap with each other. As a result, the exposureaperture 112 is opened. Further, in a case in which the frontcurtain-drive arm is rotated counterclockwise from a state in which theexposure aperture 112 is opened, the respective shutter blades 116 a arespread so that the interval of the respective shutter blades 116 a iswidened. As a result, the exposure aperture 112 is closed.

The respective shutter blades 116 b of the rear curtain 116B are mountedon a rear curtain-drive arm 118B, and are moved in parallel to eachother by the rotation (oscillation) of the rear curtain-drive arm 118Bto open and close the exposure aperture 112.

As described above, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the rear curtain 116Bis opened. In a case in which the rear curtain-drive arm is rotatedclockwise from this state, the respective shutter blades 116 b arespread so that the interval of the respective shutter blades 116 b iswidened. As a result, the exposure aperture 112 is closed. Further, in acase in which the rear curtain-drive arm 118B is rotatedcounterclockwise from a state in which the exposure aperture 112 isclosed, the respective shutter blades 116 b are folded so as to overlapwith each other. As a result, the exposure aperture 112 is opened.

The drive unit 120 comprises a drive section 122 that drives the shuttercurtain 116 in an openable and closable manner, and a charge section 124that charges the driving force of the drive section 122. The drive unit120 is provided at one end portion of the base plate 114, that is, at anend portion of the base plate 114 opposite to the exposure aperture 112.

[Drive Section]

The drive section 122 comprises a front curtain-drive shaft 124A that isa drive shaft for the front curtain 116A, a rear curtain-drive shaft124B that is a drive shaft for the rear curtain 116B, a frontcurtain-drive lever 126A that rotationally drives the frontcurtain-drive arm, a rear curtain-drive lever 126B that rotationallydrives the rear curtain-drive arm 118B, a front curtain-biasing spring128A that biases the front curtain-drive lever 126A, a rearcurtain-biasing spring 128B that biases the rear curtain-drive lever126B, a front curtain-electromagnet 130A that holds the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A, a rear curtain-electromagnet 130E that holdsthe rear curtain-drive lever 126B, a front curtain-cushioning member(not shown) that cushions an impact generated at the time of stop of thefront curtain 116A, and a rear curtain-cushioning member (not shown)that cushions an impact generated at the time of stop of the rearcurtain 116B.

The front curtain-drive shaft 124A is a drive shaft for the frontcurtain 116A, and is the center of rotation of each of the shutterblades 116 a of the front curtain 116A. The front curtain-drive arm onwhich the respective shutter blades 116 a are mounted is rotatablerelative to the front curtain-drive shaft 124A.

The rear curtain-drive shaft 124B is a drive shaft for the rear curtain116B, and is the center of rotation of each of the shutter blades 116 bof the rear curtain 116B. The rear curtain-drive arm 118B on which therespective shutter blades 116 b are mounted is rotatable relative to therear curtain-drive shaft 124B.

The front curtain-drive lever 126A is a member that rotationally drivesthe front curtain-drive arm. The front curtain-drive lever 126A isrotatably supported by the front curtain-drive shaft 124A. The frontcurtain-drive lever 126A includes a front curtain-drive pin 126 a, andis connected to the front curtain-drive arm through the frontcurtain-drive pin 126 a. In a case in which the front curtain-drivelever 126A is rotated about the front curtain-drive shaft 124A, therotation of the front curtain-drive lever 126A is transmitted to thefront curtain-drive arm through the front curtain-drive pin 126 a.Accordingly, the front curtain-drive arm is rotated about the frontcurtain-drive shaft 124A.

The rear curtain-drive lever 126B is a member that rotationally drivesthe rear curtain-drive arm 118B. The rear curtain-drive lever 126B isrotatably supported by the rear curtain-drive shaft 124B. The rearcurtain-drive lever 126B includes a rear curtain-drive pin 126 b, and isconnected to the rear curtain-drive arm 118B through the rearcurtain-drive pin 126 b. In a case in which the rear curtain-drive lever126B is rotated about the rear curtain-drive shaft 124B, the rotation ofthe rear curtain-drive lever 126B is transmitted to the rearcurtain-drive arm 118B through the rear curtain-drive pin 126 b.Accordingly, the rear curtain-drive arm 118B is rotated about the rearcurtain-drive shaft 124B.

The front curtain-biasing spring 128A is a member that biases the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A, and biases the front curtain-drive lever 126Ain a direction where the front curtain 116A is to be opened. Thedirection where the front curtain 116A is to be opened is a clockwisedirection around the front curtain-drive shaft 124A in FIG. 9. The frontcurtain-biasing spring 128A is formed of a torsion bar spring. The frontcurtain-drive shaft 124A is fitted into the inner peripheral portion ofthe front curtain-biasing spring 128A, so that the front curtain-biasingspring 128A is mounted on the front curtain-drive shaft 124A. One end ofthe front curtain-biasing spring 128A is caught by a spring bearing 132Aprovided on the base plate 114 and the other end of the frontcurtain-biasing spring 128A is caught by a spring bearing 134A providedon the front curtain-drive lever 126A, so that the front curtain-biasingspring 128A biases the front curtain-drive lever 126A clockwise.

The rear curtain-biasing spring 128B is a member that biases the rearcurtain-drive lever 126B, and biases the rear curtain-drive lever 126Bin a direction where the rear curtain 116B is to be closed. Thedirection where the rear curtain 116B is to be closed is a clockwisedirection around the rear curtain-drive shaft 124B in FIG. 9. The rearcurtain-biasing spring 128B is formed of a torsion bar spring. The rearcurtain-drive shaft 124B is fitted into the inner peripheral portion ofthe rear curtain-biasing spring 128B, so that the rear curtain-biasingspring 128B is mounted on the rear curtain-drive shaft 124B. One end ofthe rear curtain-biasing spring 128B is caught by a spring bearing 132Bprovided on the base plate 114 and the other end of the rearcurtain-biasing spring 128B is caught by a spring bearing 134B providedon the rear curtain-drive lever 126B, so that the rear curtain-biasingspring 128B biases the rear curtain-drive lever 126B clockwise.

The front curtain-electromagnet 130A is a member that holds the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A, and holds the front curtain-drive lever 126Ain a state in which the front curtain 116A is closed. That is, the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A holds the front curtain-drive lever 126A in acharged state. The front curtain-electromagnet 130A is provided on thebase plate 114. The front curtain-drive lever 126A is provided with amagnetic piece 136A that is to be held by the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A. In a case in which the front curtain-drivelever 126A is rotated to a position where the front curtain 116A isclosed, the magnetic piece 136A comes into contact with the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A. Accordingly, the magnetic piece 136A can beheld by the front curtain-electromagnet 130A, and can be held in a statein which the front curtain 116A is closed.

The rear curtain-electromagnet 130B is a member that holds the rearcurtain-drive lever 126B, and holds the rear curtain-drive lever 126B ina state in which the rear curtain 116B is opened. That is, the rearcurtain-electromagnet 130B holds the rear curtain-drive lever 126B in acharged state. The rear curtain-electromagnet 130B is provided on thebase plate 114. The rear curtain-drive lever 126B is provided with amagnetic piece 136B that is to be held by the rear curtain-electromagnet130B. In a case in which the rear curtain-drive lever 126B is rotated toa position where the rear curtain 116B is closed, the magnetic piece136B comes into contact with the rear curtain-electromagnet 130B.Accordingly, the magnetic piece 136B can be held by the rearcurtain-electromagnet 130B, and can be held in a state in which the rearcurtain 116B is opened.

The front curtain-cushioning member cushions an impact generated at thetime of stop of the front curtain 116A. The front curtain-cushioningmember is provided on the base plate 114. The front curtain-cushioningmember comes into contact with the front curtain-drive pin at the end oftravel of the front curtain 116A, and cushions an impact generated atthe time of stop of the front curtain 116A.

The rear curtain-cushioning member cushions an impact generated at thetime of stop of the rear curtain 116B. The rear curtain-cushioningmember is provided on the base plate 114. The rear curtain-cushioningmember comes into contact with the rear curtain-drive pin at the end oftravel of the rear curtain 116B, and cushions an impact generated at thetime of stop of the rear curtain 116B.

[Charge Section]

The charge section 124 charges the driving force of the drive section122. That is, the charge section 124 winds up the front and rearcurtains 116A and 116B against the biasing forces of the front and rearcurtain-biasing springs 128A and 128B.

The charge section 124 is disposed adjacent to the drive section 122.Particularly, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the drivesection 122 and the charge section 124 are disposed in parallel, and thecharge section 124 is disposed on the outside of the drive section 122.The outside of the drive section 122 means one side of the drive section122 opposite to the exposure aperture 112. Since the charge section 124is disposed adjacent to the drive section 122, the drive unit 120 can bemade compact and large torque can be efficiently transmitted to thedrive section 122. Particularly, since the digital camera 1 of thisembodiment uses an image sensor having a medium-format size as the imagesensor 70, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment has large torque forcharging. Since the charge section 124 is disposed adjacent to the drivesection 122, large torque can be efficiently transmitted to the drivesection 122 while the drive unit 120 is made compact. Accordingly, theshutter curtains can be stably wound up.

The charge section 124 comprises a charge lever 140 that charges thefront and rear curtains 116A and 116B, a charge motor 142, and arotation transmission mechanism 144 that transmits the rotation of thecharge motor 142 to the charge lever 140.

The charge lever 140 has a structure in which a front curtain-chargelever 140A charging the front curtain 116A, a rear curtain-charge lever140B charging the rear curtain 116B, a charge gear 140C, and a rotatingshaft 140D are integrated. The front curtain-charge lever 140A, the rearcurtain-charge lever 140B, the charge gear 140C, and the rotating shaft140D are arranged coaxially. The rotating shaft 140D is supported bybearings (not shown) provided on the base plate 114, so that the chargelever 140 is rotatably supported by the base plate 114. The rotationdirection of the charge lever 140 is a clockwise direction in FIG. 9.

In a case in which the front curtain-charge lever 140A is rotated, thefront curtain-charge lever 140A comes into contact with the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A and rotates the front curtain-drive lever 126A.The front curtain-drive lever 126A is provided with a roller 146A thatis coaxial with the spring bearing 134A. In a case in which the frontcurtain-charge lever 140A is rotated, the front curtain-charge lever140A comes into contact with the roller 146A and rotates the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A.

In a case in which the rear curtain-charge lever 140B is rotated, therear curtain-charge lever 140B comes into contact with the rearcurtain-drive lever 126B and rotates the rear curtain-drive lever 126B.The rear curtain-drive lever 126B is provided with a roller 146B that iscoaxial with the spring bearing 134B. In a case in which the rearcurtain-charge lever 140B is rotated, the rear curtain-charge lever 140Bcomes into contact with the roller 146B and rotates the rearcurtain-drive lever 126B.

The charge motor 142 is provided on the base plate 114. The charge motor142 includes a drive gear 148 on the output shaft thereof.

The rotation transmission mechanism 144 is formed of a gear train, andtransmits rotation between the drive gear 148 and the charge gear 140C.

[Operation of Focal-Plane Shutter]

(1) Charge

Charge is performed by the driving of the charge motor 142. In a case inwhich the charge motor 142 is driven, the rotation of the output shaftof the charge motor 142 is transmitted to the charge gear 140C throughthe rotation transmission mechanism 144. Accordingly, the charge lever140 is rotated. In this case, the charge lever 140 is rotated clockwisein FIG. 9.

In a case in which the charge lever 140 is rotated, the frontcurtain-charge lever 140A comes into contact with the roller 146A of thefront curtain-drive lever 126A first and rotates the front curtain-drivelever 126A. In this case, the front curtain-drive lever 126A is rotatedcounterclockwise in FIG. 9. Further, the front curtain-drive lever 126Ais rotated against the biasing force of the front curtain-biasing spring128A.

In a case in which the front curtain-drive lever 126A is rotated, thefront curtain-drive arm is also rotated. Accordingly, the front curtain116A is closed.

In a case in which the front curtain-drive arm is rotated and the frontcurtain 116A is completely closed, the magnetic piece 136A of the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A comes into contact with the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A. The front curtain-electromagnet 130A isdriven at a timing when the magnetic piece 136A of the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A comes into contact with the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A, so that the magnetic piece 136A is held bythe front curtain-electromagnet 130A. Accordingly, the charge of thefront curtain 116A is completed.

The rear curtain-charge lever 140B comes into contact with the roller146B of the rear curtain-drive lever 126B at a timing when the frontcurtain 116A is closed, and rotates the rear curtain-drive lever 126B.In this case, the rear curtain-drive lever 126B is rotatedcounterclockwise in FIG. 9. Further, the rear curtain-drive lever 126Bis rotated against the biasing force of the rear curtain-biasing spring128B.

In a case in which the rear curtain-drive lever 126B is rotated, therear curtain-drive arm 118B is also rotated. Accordingly, the rearcurtain 116B is opened. In a case in which the rear curtain-drive arm118B is rotated to a position where the rear curtain 116B is fullyopened, the magnetic piece 136B of the rear curtain-drive lever 126Bcomes into contact with the rear curtain-electromagnet 130B. The rearcurtain-electromagnet 130B is driven at a timing when the magnetic piece136B of the rear curtain-drive lever 126B comes into contact with therear curtain-electromagnet 130B, so that the magnetic piece 136B is heldby the rear curtain-electromagnet 130B. Accordingly, the charge of therear curtain 116B is completed.

(2) Exposure

Exposure is performed by an operation for closing the rear curtain 116Bafter opening the front curtain 116A.

First, the holding of the magnetic piece 136A performed by the frontcurtain-electromagnet 130A is released. Accordingly, the frontcurtain-drive lever 126A is rotated by the biasing force of the frontcurtain-biasing spring 128A. Then, the front curtain-drive arm isrotated while interlocking with the rotation of the front curtain-drivelever 126A. Accordingly, the front curtain 116A is opened.

After that, the holding of the magnetic piece 136B performed by the rearcurtain-electromagnet 130B is released according to exposure time.Accordingly, the rear curtain-drive lever 126B is rotated by the biasingforce of the rear curtain-biasing spring 128B. Then, the rearcurtain-drive arm 118B is rotated while interlocking with the rotationof the rear curtain-drive lever 126B. Accordingly, the rear curtain 116Bis closed.

<<Internal Layout>>

As described above, the image sensor 70, the main board 80, the batterychamber 90, the display unit 100, and the focal-plane shutter unit 110are disposed in the camera body 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image sensor 70 is disposed on the optical axisL in the camera body. That is, the image sensor 70 is disposed so thatthe center of the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 70 ispositioned on the optical axis L. Further, the image sensor 70 isdisposed so that the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 70 isorthogonal to the optical axis L.

The display unit 100 is also disposed substantially on the optical axisL. As described above, the display unit 100 forms the main display 16and is disposed on the back of the camera body 10. Since the position ofthe main display 16 to be disposed is in the body portion 10A of thecamera body 10, the position of the display unit 100 to be disposed isalso in the body portion 10A of the camera body 10.

The main board 80 is disposed between the image sensor 70 and thedisplay unit 100. The main board 80 is disposed so as to be orthogonalto the optical axis L.

The battery chamber 90 is also disposed between the image sensor 70 andthe display unit 100. Particularly, in the digital camera 1 of thisembodiment, the battery chamber 90 is disposed close to an end portionof the camera body 10. The end portion, which is mentioned here, is theend portion of the camera body opposite to the grip portion 12.Accordingly, the battery 92, which is a heavy object, is disposed at theend portion of the camera body opposite to the grip portion 12.

Further, the battery chamber 90 is disposed in the rear of thefocal-plane shutter unit 110. Accordingly, the dimension of the camerabody 10 in the lateral direction can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cut-out portion 82 is provided at the main board80 so as to correspond to the position of the battery chamber 90 to bedisposed. The battery chamber 90 is disposed within the cut-out portion82.

The focal-plane shutter unit 110 is disposed immediately in front of theimage sensor 70. The focal-plane shutter unit 110 is disposed so thatthe base plate 114 of the focal-plane shutter unit 110 is orthogonal tothe optical axis L. Further, the focal-plane shutter unit 110 isdisposed so that the center of the exposure aperture 112 is positionedon the optical axis L.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing a structure in which thefocal-plane shutter unit is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the charge section 124 of the focal-plane shutterunit 110 is disposed in a range GA of the grip portion 12. Particularly,in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the charge section 124 isdisposed in the grip portion.

<<Action>>

As described above, the drive section 122 and the charge section 124 ofthe focal-plane shutter unit 110 are disposed in parallel in the digitalcamera 1 of this embodiment. Accordingly, the drive unit 120 for thefocal-plane shutter unit can be made compact, and a stable operation canbe performed even in a case in which the shutter curtain is to becharged with large torque.

Further, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the charge section124 of the focal-plane shutter unit 110 is disposed in the grip portion12. Accordingly, since a portion of the camera body close to the centerof rotation of the shutter curtain 116 can be gripped at the time ofhandheld imaging, vibration to be generated at the time of operation ofthe shutter can be effectively suppressed. That is, the major cause ofvibration to be generated at the time of operation of the shutter ismoment that is received at the time of braking of the shutter curtain116. This moment is generated about the center of rotation of theshutter curtain 116. Since a portion of the camera body, which is closeto the center of rotation of the shutter curtain 116, is gripped, aninfluence of moment can be suppressed. Accordingly, the generation ofvibration can be effectively suppressed.

Further, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the battery 92,which is a heavy object, is disposed at the end portion of the camerabody opposite to the grip portion 12. Accordingly, since the moment ofinertia about the grip portion 12 can be increased, the generation ofvibration can be more effectively suppressed.

That is, the generation of vibration can be effectively suppressed inthe digital camera 1 of this embodiment by the synergy of the layout ofthe focal-plane shutter unit 110 where a portion of the camera bodyclose to the center of rotation of the shutter curtain 116 is grippedand the layout of the battery 92 where the moment of inertia about thegrip portion 12 is increased.

This will be described in more detail. Since the center of rotation ofthe shutter curtain 116 is made close to the grip portion 12 and thebattery 92 is disposed on the side opposite to the grip portion 12, thebattery 92, which is a heavy object, can be disposed at a positiondistant from the center of rotation of the shutter curtain 116. Eventhough mass points have the same mass, the moment of inertia of the masspoint, which is more distant from the center of rotation, about arotation axis is larger. Accordingly, in a case in which the battery 92,which is a heavy object, is disposed at a position distant from thecenter of rotation of the shutter curtain 116, rotational moment aboutthe drive shaft (rotating shaft) of the shutter curtain 116 (rotationalmoment about an axis parallel to the optical axis) can be increased.Since vibration, which is caused by the operation of the shutter, isgenerated about the drive shaft of the shutter curtain 116, the momentof inertia in a direction where vibration caused by the operation of theshutter is to be suppressed can be increased by an increase in therotational moment about the drive shaft of the shutter curtain 116. As aresult, it is possible to make it difficult for vibration, which iscaused by the operation of the shutter, to be transmitted to the camerabody. Accordingly, the generation of vibration can be effectivelysuppressed.

Particularly, since the charge section 124 and the drive section 122 aredisposed in parallel, an effect of charging the shutter curtains by astable operation is also obtained while the focal-plane shutter unit 110can be made compact.

Further, since the battery 92 is disposed between the image sensor 70and the display unit 100, an effect of reducing the dimension of thecamera body 10 in the lateral direction is obtained. On the other hand,the thickness of the camera body 10 is increased, but excellent grippingability can be ensured since the grip portion 12 is formed to be thinnerthan the body portion 10A.

Furthermore, since the battery cover 40 is provided on the side surfaceof the camera body 10 and the battery 92 is adapted to be loaded in thebattery chamber 90 in the lateral direction, an operation for replacingthe battery 92 can be easily performed.

<<Modification Example>>

<Digital Camera>

An example of a case in which the invention is applied to alens-interchangeable digital camera has been described in theabove-mentioned embodiment, but the application of the invention is notlimited thereto. The invention can also be applied to a digital cameraintegrated with a lens.

An example of a case in which the invention is applied to a non-reflexdigital camera has been described in the above-mentioned embodiment, butthe invention can also be applied to a reflex digital camera.

The invention particularly effectively acts in a case in which theinvention is applied to a reflex digital camera. Since a mirror box, apentaprism, and the like are not provided in the case of a non-reflexdigital camera, the entire non-reflex digital camera is reduced inweight. Vibration to be generated at the time of operation of theshutter becomes significant as the camera is reduced in weight. Theinvention where vibration to be generated at the time of operation ofthe shutter can be effectively suppressed particularly effectively actsin the case of a non-reflex digital camera.

<Focal-Plane Shutter Unit>

An example of a case in which each of the front curtain and the rearcurtain of the shutter curtain includes four shutter blades has beendescribed in the above-mentioned embodiment, but the number of shutterblades of each of the front curtain and the rear curtain is not limitedthereto. The number of shutter blades of each of the front curtain andthe rear curtain can be appropriately increased or reduced according tothe size of the exposure aperture, or the like.

Further, each of the drive section and the charge section can be adaptedto be unitized and assembled with the base plate.

<Battery>

The shape of the battery has been the shape of a rectangularparallelepiped in the above-mentioned embodiment, but the shape of thebattery is not limited thereto. The shape of the battery may be theshape of a plate or a cylindrical shape.

Further, one battery has been adapted to be loaded in the camera body inthe above-mentioned embodiment, but a plurality of batteries can also beadapted to be loaded.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

1: digital camera

2: lens

10: camera body

10A: body portion

10B: projecting portion

12: grip portion

14: lens mount

16: main display

18: sub-display

20: electronic view finder

20A: eyepiece portion

22: grip

24: thumb rest

30: shutter button

40: battery cover

70: image sensor

80: main board

82: cut-out portion

90: battery chamber

90A: battery insertion opening

92: battery

100: display unit

110: focal-plane shutter unit

112: exposure aperture

114: base plate

116: shutter curtain

116A: front curtain

116B: rear curtain

116 a: shutter blade

116 b: shutter blade

118B: rear curtain-drive arm

120: drive unit

122: drive section

124: charge section

124A: front curtain-drive shaft

124B: rear curtain-drive shaft

126A: front curtain-drive lever

126B: rear curtain-drive lever

126 a: front curtain-drive pin

126 b: rear curtain-drive pin

128A: front curtain-biasing spring

128B: rear curtain-biasing spring

130A: front curtain-electromagnet

130B: rear curtain-electromagnet

132A: spring bearing

132B: spring bearing

134A: spring bearing

134B: spring bearing

136A: magnetic piece

136B: magnetic piece

140: charge lever

140A: front curtain-charge lever

140B: rear curtain-charge lever

140C: charge gear

140D: rotating shaft

142: charge motor

144: rotation transmission mechanism

146A: roller

146B: roller

148: drive gear

GA: range

L: optical axis

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera comprising: a camera body thathas an approximately rectangular shaped body and includes a grip portionat one end portion thereof, a grip side surface of the camera body beingentirely included in the grip portion, the grip portion configured toreceive a hand of a user to grip the camera body at a time of handheldimaging; a lens or a lens mount that is provided on a subject sidesurface of the camera body; a display unit that is provided on animaging side surface of the camera body; an image sensor that isprovided in the camera body; a focal-plane shutter unit which is squareand includes a base plate including an exposure aperture, a shuttercurtain opening and closing the exposure aperture, a drive sectiondriving the shutter curtain in an openable and closable manner, and acharge section charging a driving force of the drive section anddisposed at one end portion of the base plate along a widthwisedirection that is orthogonal to an optical axis direction and isorthogonal to the grip side surface of the camera body, the focal-planeshutter unit being disposed immediately in front that is a subject sideof the image sensor in the camera body and the charge section beingdisposed inside the grip portion when seen from the optical axisdirection, and the charge section and the drive section of thefocal-plane shutter unit being disposed in parallel; and a battery ofwhich an entire portion is disposed between a plane including a side ofthe image sensor opposite to the subject side of the image sensor and aplane including a subject side of the display unit in the camera body,and is disposed at an end portion of the camera body that is opposite inthe widthwise direction to the end portion of the camera body includingthe grip portion, wherein the grip portion includes a protruding portionprotruding toward the subject side and functions as a finger hook. 2.The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera bodyincludes a body portion thicker than the grip portion, the lens or thelens mount is disposed on a subject side surface of the body portion,the display unit is disposed on an imaging side surface of the bodyportion, and the image sensor and the battery are disposed within arange of the body portion.
 3. The digital camera according to claim 1,further comprising: a battery chamber that is provided in the camerabody and stores the battery, wherein the battery is stored in thebattery chamber.
 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein thecamera body includes a battery insertion opening that is provided on anend face of the end portion of the camera body opposite to the endportion of the camera body including the grip portion and is used toload the battery in the battery chamber.
 5. The digital camera accordingto claim 3, wherein the camera body includes a cover part that isprovided on an end face of the end portion of the camera body oppositeto the end portion of the camera body including the grip portion andopens and closes the battery chamber.
 6. The digital camera according toclaim 1, further comprising: a board on which an electronic component ismounted, wherein the board is disposed between the image sensor and thedisplay unit in the camera body and includes a cut-out portion providedat a position of the battery to be disposed.
 7. The digital cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the charge section of the focal-planeshutter unit is disposed in the grip portion.
 8. The digital cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the image sensor has a sensor size that islarger than that of an image sensor having a 35 mm-format full size. 9.The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the image sensor is animage sensor having a medium-format size.
 10. The digital cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a non-reflex digitalcamera.